The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Findings From The National Healthy Worksite Program

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate employers' implementation of evidence-based interventions, and changes in employees' behaviors associated with participating in the national healthy worksite program (NHWP).

Methods: NHWP recruited 100 small and mid-sized employers and provided training and support for 18 months. Outcome measures were collected with an employer questionnaire, an employee survey, and biometric data at baseline and 18 months later.

Results: The 41 employers who completed the NHWP implemented significantly more evidence-based interventions and had more comprehensive worksite health promotion programs after participating. Employees made significant improvements in physical activity and nutritional behaviors, but did not significantly improve employee weight.

Conclusions: Training and technical support can help small and mid-sized employers implement evidence-based health interventions to promote positive employee behavior changes. A longer follow up period may be needed to assess whether NHWP led to improvements in clinical outcomes.

FIGURE 1

Boxes show the number of employees categorized in high, moderate, and low lifestyle risk categories at the 2013 assessment and the assessment 18 months later in 2015. The arrows show the number of employees changing or remaining in life style risk categories between 2013 and 2015. Between 2013 and 2015, 30.2% of the 825 employees moved to a more favorable risk level (bolded arrows), while 14.4% moved to a less favorable risk level (P < 0.001). Another 28% maintained their moderate or low risk levels over the 18 months, and the remaining 27.4% stayed at the high risk level.